It’s important to be sure that your understanding of UC is the same as your provider’s. UC is the integration
of the communication services your business uses, including mobile, landline and internet-based communications.
It encompasses real-time calls, conferencing, instant messaging and presence, and non-real-time communication
such as voicemail, email and SMS.

What this means in practice is that communication is flexible and consistent. Messages sent in one way (such
as by voicemail) can be received in another (by email, for example). It also means that every user has a
consistent experience, on any device, anywhere.

What this means for your business is that processes are optimised and user productivity is increased, while your
customer is met with professionalism and efficiency in all communications.

If your requirements are likely to change frequently, or if you have a clear growth plan, you need to consider
the implications for your UC.

On-premise

You will need to either over-specify initially or invest in additional hardware and licences at a later date
to meet your requirements as your business grows. If your business needs to scale down, you will be left
with the excess hardware from your original investment. This could be outdated or unserviceable when / if
you need to scale up again at a later date.

Cloud

You only ever pay for the features you need and use. Upgrading is virtually instantaneous - new features can
simply be switched on as and when required, and switched off too. Some providers offer an “evergreen” solution:
continuous upgrading takes place in the background and is included in the monthly fee.

Automatic routing of unanswered calls to any device, anywhere. “Hunt groups” redirect
unanswered calls to other extensions and mobiles, in a predefined sequence until
answered.

Presence - informs users if a colleague is available, busy, in a meeting, or on a
call.

Single incoming number calling - callers reach an individual by dialling one number,
whether the call recipient is on their landline or mobile.

Single outgoing number - calls always display the business’s main number, regardless
of the location or device they are made from i.e. call a customer from your mobile
but have it appear that you are calling from the office.

Is your network up to the job?

UC is a long-term solution for your business communications, business efficiency and productivity,
but it is not a solution to underperforming network connectivity.

In fact, making the most of the Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) features of UC demands a stable
local network and broadband connection. For that reason it is essential you establish the suitability
of your network and broadband before you invest in UC. A reputable provider will be able to offer
an assessment of your infrastructure’s suitability before progressing.

Some businesses install UC only to discover at go-live that they receive absolutely
no communications traffic at all. The reason? Their firewall has automatically
blocked it. If you deploy UC, ensure your IT provider reconfigures your firewall
to allow the traffic through.

On-premise or Cloud?

There are essentially two ways for your Unified Communications system to be set up.

On-premise

This is the traditional approach to setting-up a UC system and relies on physical hardware
that is installed on your premises.

Advantages

See what you are paying for - the physical hardware is installed at your location

Pay one capital cost up-front

No monthly hosting charges

Disadvantages

You need to find space for the hardware

You need to find additional space for a backup system, ideally in another location

You pay one sizeable capital cost up-front

You are responsible for undertaking and paying for:

maintenance

repair

backup

In the event of a loss of power, customers may need to call a different phone number
to access your backup system

If you invest in a system which meets only your current needs, you will face additional
costs in the future to scale up or add features as your business grows

To be prepared for future business growth, you will need to over-specify and pay
for features you don’t currently need

Expanding an on-premise UC system is not an instantaneous process

Upgrades will incur additional investment

If your requirements scale down, you will have invested in scale and features which
become redundant

If you are a small-medium size business, an on-premise solution is less likely to
prove cost-effective

Cloud

The alternative to hosting your UC system on your premises is to have a provider host
it in the cloud.

Advantages

A “fit and forget” solution

Minimal capital cost to pay up-front

No physical infrastructure hardware on your premises other than your end-user devices

No maintenance or repair responsibilities or costs

Your backup system is hosted in the cloud

Backing-up is the responsibility of your provider

Greater system resilience thanks to hosting across more servers at more sites

In the event of a disaster, even if you can’t access your premises you can still
access your communications

You pay only for the features you need

Upgrades will be included within the monthly fee

When you need more scale or more features they can be switched on instantly

Disadvantages

If you operate in a sector with strict compliance requirements for data, you will
need to ensure your provider meets those requirements e.g. for hosting servers
to be in Ireland or for traffic to be encrypted

If your business has only one location, consider where your backup will be located.
Will you need to rent or buy more space? How secure will it be? Have you allowed
for the additional costs of backup hardware and its maintenance and repair –
as well as costs for the physical space it occupies?

Some UC providers offer everything you need to get your UC system completely set up and running.
Some don’t. There are advantages to choosing an end-to-end provider, but there are also good
reasons for choosing to source your solution from a number of different vendors..

End-to-end

An end-to-end UC solution from one provider will include all the elements required to
get you set up and using all the UC features you have signed-up for, from day one.

Depending on whether you opt for an on-premise or cloud solution, it will usually comprise
some or all of the following:

Advantages

Potential savings on hardware, software and support services when negotiated with
one supplier

Greater likelihood of 100% compatibility and seamless connectivity between all system
elements

One point of contact for supply, service, support

Disadvantages

All your eggs are in one basket, so it is important to choose a reliable, trustworthy
provider with a proven track record

Pick and mix

It is possible to source your UC solution from a range of vendors, selecting different
elements of the system from each.

Advantages

Freedom to choose from a broader range of equipment and solutions

Ability to switch between vendors when expanding, upgrading, or when new features
become available

Disadvantages

More complex sourcing and set-up process

Potentially less opportunity to negotiate discounts on purchases

Less likelihood of trouble-free compatibility and seamless connectivity between all
system elements

Multiple points of contact for supply, service, support

The more complex your requirements, the harder your task if you opt for a pick and
mix system. However, an end-to-end solution will limit your vendor choices. Consider
the range of devices, solutions and features you may need and whether you prefer
the flexibility of choice or the ease of a one-stop shop.

Planning for the future

Like most successful business investments, the more future-proofed your Unified Communications system
is, the better the return and the lower the total cost of ownership.

Before you decide which UC solution to adopt, you need to assess:

Your current communications needs

Your likely communications needs in the medium- and longterm

Your chosen provider can then help you develop a strategic UC plan that meets your current needs
and has the potential to meet your future requirements too.

Two points to consider for future-proofing your UC solution are:

Unified Communications the Three way

If you follow the advice and steps outlined in this guide, by the end of the process you should have
a clear idea of:

What communications capabilities you want your UC solution to provide

Which features and tools it needs to have to deliver those capabilities

The key points to consider and the major pitfalls to avoid before making your choice

You may find that
3Connect – the cloud-hosted Unified Communications solution from Three –
meets your requirements. If so, there are also some specific advantages to be gained
by choosing Three as your UC provider.

Always current, always ahead

3Connect is a constantly evolving “evergreen” UC solution, continually making new features
available to users.

To ensure the features are relevant and useful, Three works closely with their business
customers in the development of the 3Connect product roadmap – listening to customer
feedback and requirements, and tailoring new applications to suit them.

The result is a leading-edge UC system that meets your needs now and in the future, at
an always affordable price. You can even pay per user, per month.

End-to-end, and beyond

As a mobile network operator, Three can provide a complete end-to-end UC solution, which
goes further to deliver greater benefits to your business.

Three has an holistic approach to seamlessly integrate every aspect of your UC. For example,
3Connect incorporates a soft client on your Three mobiles, so that mobile users have
all the features they would have on their desktop phone, wherever they are. In addition,
if your broadband service fails, 3Connect is set up to automatically divert all calls
to mobiles.

You won’t lose business, because you won’t miss a call – ever.

Moving from a PSDN landline to a cloud UC solution can save you money. Often, up to 70%
of landline phone costs are line rental, with as little as 30% or less representing
calls. Move to the cloud and 70% of your bill could be eliminated instantly.

Three’s capabilities even extend to wireless and DECT handsets, enabling you to use them
in areas of your site where wiring is impossible or prohibitively expensive.

It’s your call

While the cloud-based 3Connect UC solution relieves you of the burdens of hosting, maintenance
and backup, it still leaves you in control.